Unattended beverage dispensing systems and methods

ABSTRACT

Unattended beverage dispensers configured to dispense one or more beverages after authenticating a customer and associating the customer with a customer account. An unattended beverage dispenser may include a user interface with a biometric sensor configured to identify a biometric characteristic of a customer. A controller associated with the unattended beverage dispenser may authenticate a customer based on a biometric characteristic and associate the authenticated customer with a customer account. After authenticating a customer, the controller may allow beverage dispensing from the unattended beverage dispenser in accordance with a beverage dispensing rule associated with the customer&#39;s account.

FIELD

The described embodiments generally related to unattended beveragedispensing. In particular, embodiments relate to unattended beveragedispensing systems and methods that utilize biometric identification tobeverages at an unattended beverage dispenser kiosk.

BACKGROUND

Beverage dispensers are used to dispense beverages to customers atvarious locations, such as restaurants, cafeterias, theatres and otherentertainment and/or food service venues. In some locations,self-service beverage dispensers are employed to dispense beverages. Forexample, customers at an amusement park may purchase a beverage cup thatallows them to fill the cup themselves using a self-service beveragedispenser. Self-service beverage dispensers may be desirable in manysettings to enhance customer experience and reduce employee time neededto fill customer orders. Due to these and other benefits, self-servicebeverage dispensers are used in numerous venues including movietheaters, buffet or cafeteria-style restaurants, cruise ships, concertvenues, and sports stadiums.

Some unattended beverage dispensers may allow unlimited beveragedispensing to persons that approach the beverage dispenser at a venue.Some unattended beverage dispensers may restrict the amount of beveragethat may be dispensed by a customer who has purchased a beverage at avenue. Dispensing systems have been developed that allow the dispenserto identify a cup as being authorized for use with a self-servicebeverage dispenser. For example, a customer may purchase a cup with abarcode on the cup. Upon scanning of the barcode, a beverage dispensermay allow a customer to dispense beverage into the cup, if the barcodeis authorized for dispensing. As another example, beverage dispensingcontrol may be accomplished with a radio-frequency identification (RFID)tag on a cup. In some cases, the RFID tag may be a read-write RFID tag.

Control of the persons authorized to dispense beverage(s) and the amountof beverage(s) such authorized persons are allowed to dispense may helpa venue owner and/or operator reduce losses due to theft or wastefulconsumption by customers. Also, positive customer experience with aself-service beverage dispenser may be desirable to a venue owner and/oroperator. Positive customer experience and customer satisfactionassociated with the use of a beverage dispenser may be a desirable toolfor a venue owner/operator to entice beverage sales and returncustomers. Moreover, positive customer experience and satisfaction mayfacilitate brand recognition and may be a valuable marketing tool.

Therefore, a continuing need exists for methods and systems forcontrolling access to self-service beverage dispensers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments are directed to a beverage dispenser including adispensing nozzle configured to dispense one or more beverages; a userinterface having a biometric sensor configured to identify a biometriccharacteristic of a customer; and a controller configured toauthenticate a customer based on the biometric characteristic, associatethe authenticated customer with a customer account, the customer accountincluding a beverage dispensing rule for the authenticated customer, andallow beverage dispensing from the dispensing nozzle afterauthenticating the customer and associating the authenticated customerwith the customer account.

Some embodiments are directed to a beverage dispensing system includinga database configured to store a plurality of authorized biometriccharacteristic profiles, each of the authorized profiles including abiometric characteristic and a customer account, where the customeraccount includes a beverage dispensing rule; a beverage dispenserincluding a dispensing nozzle configured to dispense one or morebeverages and a user interface having a biometric sensor configured toidentify a customer biometric characteristic; and a controllerconfigured to authenticate a customer based on the customer biometriccharacteristic by comparing the customer biometric characteristic to theauthorized biometric characteristic profiles, associate theauthenticated customer with a particular one of the authorized biometriccharacteristic profiles in the database, and allow beverage dispensingfrom the dispensing nozzle based on the particular authorized biometriccharacteristic profile.

Some embodiments are directed to a method of dispensing a beverage froman unattended beverage dispenser, the method including storing aplurality of authorized biometric characteristic profiles in a database,each of the authorized profiles including a biometric characteristic anda customer account, where the customer account includes a beveragedispensing rule; authenticating a customer at the unattended beveragedispenser by collecting a customer biometric characteristic at theunattended beverage dispenser and comparing the customer biometriccharacteristic to the authorized biometric characteristic profiles inthe database; associating the authenticated customer with a particularone of the authorized biometric characteristic profiles in the database;and dispensing beverage at the unattended beverage dispenser based onthe particular authorized biometric characteristic profile.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, a user interface mayinclude an electronic display screen and a biometric sensor may includea camera for optically identifying the biometric characteristic of thecustomer. In some embodiments, the electronic display screen isconfigured to display an image captured by the camera.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, a user interface mayinclude an actuator configured to initiate dispensing of a beverage fromthe dispensing nozzle. In some embodiments, the actuator may include abiometric sensor. In some embodiments, upon actuation of the actuator,the controller may be configured to authenticate a customer, associatethe authenticated customer with a customer account, and initiatedispensing of a beverage from a dispensing nozzle. In some embodiments,upon sensing that the actuator has been disengaged, a controller may beconfigured to record an amount of beverage dispensed from a dispensingnozzle and update a beverage dispensing rule based on the beveragedispensed. In some embodiments, an actuator may include a button. Insome embodiments, an actuator may include a touch screen.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, a biometric sensormay include a fingerprint reader.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, a controller may beconfigured to compare an identified biometric characteristic against adatabase of authorized biometric characteristics.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, a customer accountmay include a purchased beverage plan.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, a customer accountmay include a promotional beverage allowance.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, a customer accountmay include customer preferences.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, a beveragedispensing rule may include at least one of: a beverage volume allowancerule, a beverage re-fill allowance rule, a time-based rule, a geographiclocation-based rule, and a prepaid credit rule.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, a customer accountmay include a beverage dispensing restriction. In some embodiments, thebeverage dispensing restriction may include at least one of: a maximumvolume allowance restriction, a re-fill allowance restriction, and abeverage type restriction.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, a controller may beconfigured to track beverage dispensed by an authenticated customer andupdate a beverage dispensing rule based on beverage dispensed by theauthenticated customer.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, a biometriccharacteristic may include at least one of: a fingerprint, a finger veinpattern, a retinal profile, an iris profile, a face profile, and a voiceprofile.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, a controller may beconfigured to allow beverage dispensing from a dispensing nozzle for apredetermined amount of time. In some embodiments, once thepredetermined amount of time expires, the controller may be configuredto prevent beverage dispensing until a future customer is authenticated.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, authorized biometriccharacteristic profiles may be received at a database from a mobiledevice application.

In any of the various embodiments discussed herein, a beverage dispensermay be configured to collect authorized biometric characteristicprofiles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a dispensing system according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates customer profiles according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a beverage dispenser according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a beverage dispenser according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates a beverage dispenser according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method of dispensing a beverageaccording to some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary computer system inwhich embodiments may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention(s) will now be described in detail with referenceto embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an exemplaryembodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodimentmay not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring tothe same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it issubmitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art toaffect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection withother embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

A customer may choose to purchase a beverage directly dispensed from abeverage dispenser into his or her cup (e.g., a fountain drink) for avariety of reasons. In contrast to purchasing a packaged (e.g., bottledor canned) beverage, purchasing a fountain drink may provide thecustomer with increased control over the amount of beverage(s) andtype(s) of beverage he or she may receive. For example, purchasing afountain drink allows a customer to choose from a variety of differentbeverage types, allows a customer to try various types of beverages, andallows a customer to re-fill his or her cup with a desired amount of thesame beverage, or a different beverage. Moreover, purchasing a fountaindrink may give a customer the freedom to customize his or her drink bymixing different beverage types (e.g., a customer may mix a regular colawith a diet cola).

In some instances, a dispenser may allow a customer to customize his orher beverage by pre-selecting a combination of beverages, flavors,additives, etc. that are dispensed into his or her cup. In such cases,the beverage dispenser may include a user interface that allows acustomer to make desired selections. This flexibility and customizationmay entice beverage sales and attract customers to locations thatprovide dispensers with such capabilities. The customization ofbeverages may be enjoyable for customers and may positively contributeto the customers' experience and satisfaction at a particular venue(e.g., a restaurant, a cafeteria, a theatre, and other entertainmentand/or food service venues). As such, these attributes of a dispensermay be desirable for an owner and/or operator of a venue (hereinafterreferred to as a “proprietor”) trying to attract consumers and enticereturn customers.

While customer freedom in selection of beverages can enhance customerexperience at a venue, customer freedom can raise issues for aproprietor. Customer experience and interaction with an unattendedbeverage dispenser can affect a customer's opinion of a venue. Also, aproprietor may wish to control the amount of beverage dispensed at anunattended beverage dispenser. Misuse of self-service beveragedispensers can be expensive. Therefore, a proprietor may wish torestrict access to and dispensing from self-service dispensers to onlythose customers that have purchased beverage(s) from the proprietor. Aproprietor may restrict access and beverage dispensing by providingcustomers with a machine readable item including coded data withinformation related to customer's ability to dispense beverage(s) froman unattended beverage dispenser.

In some instances, it may be desirable for a proprietor to limit theamount of items with coded data given to customers, for example, cardsor cups, which include coded data. If these items are disposable, theymay be expensive for a proprietor to purchase and may create trash orlitter at a venue. If these items are re-useable, they may be expensiveto maintain and re-program, and non-return of the re-usable items may beexpensive for a proprietor. Also, if a customer loses his or her item,he or she may lose the ability to dispense beverages without the hassleof obtaining a new item. Ultimately, a proprietor may have to pass on aportion of the expense related to these machine readable items onto acustomer for an unattended beverage dispensing system to be successful.

In some cases, the use of machine readable items may negatively affect acustomer's experience with a venue and/or unattended beverage dispenserat a venue. Keeping track of a machine readable item may be a nuisance.And replacement of a lost machine readable item may be even more of anuisance and may reduce the amount of time a customer is able to enjoyentertainment provided at the venue. Further, machine readable items maybe susceptible to theft. And a stolen item may be even more of a hassleand nuisance than a lost item.

In addition to these possible issues with machine readable items givento customers, machine readable items may detract from a customer'sinteraction with an unattended beverage dispenser. Time and attentionspent handling a machine readable item may unintentionally focusattention on the machine readable item and draw a customer's attentionaway from his or her experience with the beverage dispenser. Suchcustomer attention on the machine readable item may detract from thecustomer's experience with an unattended beverage dispenser, which mayoffer multiple options and benefits to the customer. Missing out onthese options and benefits may detract from the ideal experience aproprietor and/or manufacturer wishes a customer to experience.

In some embodiments, unattended beverage dispensers discussed hereinidentify and authenticate customers without the need for a proprietor topass out machine readable items to customers. In some embodiments,unattended beverage dispensers discussed herein identify andauthenticate customers based on one or more biometric characteristics(i.e., biometric data) of a customer. Eliminating the need for acustomer to carry a machine readable item in order to dispense beveragesat an unattended beverage dispenser may enhance customer experience andreduce cost for a proprietor. Such hands-free identification may createa seamless customer-friendly experience between an unattended beveragedispenser and a customer.

In some embodiments, one or more biometric characteristics of a customermay be associated with a customer account. The customer account mayinclude details related to the amount of beverage purchased by acustomer. The customer account may also include at least one beveragedispensing rule for the customer. The beverage dispensing rule may bebased on the amount of beverage purchased by the customer. For example,the beverage dispensing rule may restrict the amount of beverage acustomer may dispense based on the amount of beverage the customerpurchased (e.g., a certain volume of beverage(s) or a number of beveragere-fills).

Moreover, embodiments discussed herein may prevent unauthorizedcustomers form “piggybacking” on authorized customer purchased drinkallowances at an unattended beverage kiosk. “Piggybacking” occurs when aperson, intentionally or unintentionally, dispenses a beverage usinganother person's account, thereby syphoning off purchased beveragedispensing allowance from an unexpecting person. Piggybacking,intentional or unintentional, may be controlled by associating abeverage pour with a specific authorized customer and terminatingdispensing after that customer's interaction with a beverage dispenseris complete.

FIG. 1 shows a beverage dispensing system 100 according to anembodiment.

Beverage dispensing system 100 may be located at a venue and may includeone or more beverage dispensers 110. Beverage dispensers 110 may be anyof the beverage dispensers discussed herein (e.g., beverage dispensers300, 400, or 500). As used herein, a “beverage” includes any consumablefree-flowing liquid or semi-liquid product, including, but not limitedto, soft drinks, water, carbonated water, dairy beverages, juices,alcoholic beverages, sports drinks, smoothies, coffee beverages, teabeverages, and milkshakes. As discussed herein, beverage dispenser(s)110 may identify and authenticate a customer who has purchased one ormore beverages. In some embodiments, beverage dispensers(s) 110 mayidentify and authenticate a customer based one or more biometriccharacteristics of the customer. A user interface 122 of beveragedispenser 110 may facilitate identification and authentication of acustomer.

User interface 122 may include an electronic display screen 123 fordisplaying information to a customer (e.g., a liquid crystal display(LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED) display, which may be a touchscreen display). In some embodiments, user interface 122 may include oneor more actuators 128 (e.g., buttons, levers, handles, or icons on atouch screen, which may or may not be integrated into display screen123) for receiving commands from a customer. In some embodiments,actuator(s) 128 of user interface 122 may be configured to initiatedispensing of a beverage from a dispensing nozzle 112 of dispenser 110.

A controller 120 may be configured to control operations (e.g., customeridentification and authentication, and dispensing of a beverage and/orice) of dispensing system 100. In some embodiments, controller 120 maybe configured to control a plurality of beverage dispensers 110. In someembodiments, individual beverage dispensers 110 may have individualcontrollers 120, which may be controlled by a central controller (e.g.,remote controller 124).

Controller 120 may be configured to control display screen 123 andreceive commands from user interface 122. User interface 122 may allow acustomer to control various aspects of dispensing system 100. Forexample, user interface 122 may allow a customer to initiate dispensingof a beverage and/or ice. User interface 122 may also allow a customerto select different beverage types and/or ingredients for dispensing. Acustomer may customize his or her beverage by selecting beverage and/oringredient options on user interface 122. In some embodiments, userinterface 122 may allow a customer to input a user identification code(e.g., a user name or phone number) to identify a particular customer.In some embodiments, user interface 122 may include one or more readersor scanners 126 for reading a machine readable item for identifying acustomer. Machine readable items may include, but are not limited to, abarcode, a magnetic strip, a quick response (QR) code, a radio frequencyidentification (RFID) tag, a Bluetooth-enabled device (e.g., a cellphone), a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) device, or an ultrasoundcommunication device, (e.g., a device having LISNR® ultrasoundtechnology).

In some embodiments, user interface 122 may include one or morebiometric sensors 125 for identifying one or more biometriccharacteristics of a customer. Biometric sensor(s) 125 may include, forexample but not limited to, a fingerprint reader, a finger vein scanner,a retinal scanner, an iris scanner, a camera (for taking a photo and/orrecording a video), or a microphone. The biometric characteristic(s) ofa customer may include a fingerprint, a finger vein pattern, a retinalprofile, an iris profile, a face profile, and a voice profile.

Controller 120 in communication with biometric sensor(s) 125 mayauthenticate a customer based on the biometric characteristic(s)identified by the biometric sensor(s) 125. After authenticating acustomer, controller 120 may associate the authenticated customer with acustomer account (e.g., one of the customer accounts shown in FIG. 2).In some embodiments, controller 120 may locate a particular customeraccount in a database (e.g., database 150) based on the biometriccharacteristic(s) identified by the biometric sensor(s) 125. Controller120 may locate a particular customer account by comparing identifiedbiometric characteristic(s) of a customer against a database ofauthorized biometric characteristics. After authenticating a customer,controller 120 may allow beverage dispensing based on one or morebeverage dispensing rule associated with the customer's account.

In some embodiments, user interface 122 may include electronic displayscreen 123 and biometric sensor 125 may include a camera for opticallyidentifying the biometric characteristic of the customer. In someembodiments, electronic display screen 123 may be configured to displayan image or video captured by the camera. For example, electronicdisplay screen 123 may be configured to display a picture of a customertaken by the camera of biometric sensor 125. The picture of a customertaken by the camera may be analyzed by controller 120 to determinewhether or not a customer is authorized to dispense beverage(s) frombeverage dispenser 110. In other words, controller 120 may identify andauthenticate a customer based on the picture. For example, controller120 may identify and authenticate a customer based on facial recognitionof the customer obtained by analyzing the picture taken by the camera ofbiometric sensor 125. In such embodiments, user interface 122 may prompta customer to pose for a picture (e.g., visual, verbal, or audibleindication for the customer to look at the camera) when the customerapproaches beverage dispenser 110. For example, a textual message mayappear on electronic display screen 123, a light or visual display mayilluminate on the electronic display screen 123, or a verbal instructionto “look at the camera” may be provided by a speaker on beveragedispenser 110.

In some embodiments, an actuator 128 of user interface 122 may include abiometric sensor 125. For example, a button or touch screen of userinterface 122 may include a fingerprint reader or a finger vein scanner.In such embodiments, upon actuation of actuator 128, controller 120 maybe configured to identify and authenticate the customer, associate theauthenticated customer with a customer account, and initiate dispensingof beverage(s) from beverage dispenser 110. In such embodiments,customer identification, customer authorization, and beverage dispensinginitiation may only require a single action by a user (e.g., all thesesteps may be performed “at the push of a button”).

In some embodiments, upon sensing that an actuator 128 has beendisengaged by a customer, controller 120 may be configured to ceasebeverage dispensing and record an amount of beverage(s) dispensed frombeverage dispenser 110. In some embodiments, controller 120 may beconfigured to update a beverage dispensing rule based on the beverage(s)dispensed from beverage dispenser 110. In such embodiments, controller120 may be configured to track beverage(s) dispensed by an authenticatedcustomer and update the customer's beverage dispensing rule based onbeverage(s) dispensed by the authenticated customer. In embodimentsincluding an actuator 128 with an integrated biometric sensor 125,piggybacking may be prevented by ceasing dispensing and pausing orending a dispensing session when a customer's biometric characteristic(e.g., fingerprint) is no longer identified by the sensor 125 ofactuator 128. For example, when a customer lifts his or her finger offof an actuator, additional dispensing may be prevented unless the samecustomer presses the actuator, or a new customer is identified andauthenticated. In some embodiments, a dispenser 110 including aplurality of actuators 128 with integrated biometric sensors 125 mayallow multiple customers to be identified and authenticated at the sametime. And, in such embodiments, multiple customers may dispensebeverages at the same time and each customer's beverage consumption maybe separately tracked by system 100.

In some embodiments, dispensing system 100 may include a remotecontroller 124. Remote controller 124 may be, for example, a local areacomputer, a network computer, or a server. Remote controller 124 may bein communication with controller 120 via a wired or wireless connection.Remote controller 124 may send information to controller 120. Forexample, remote controller 124 may be configured to send softwareupdates to controller 120. Software updates may provide controller 120with updated user interface software for displaying information to userson display screen 123. In some embodiments, software updates mayinclude, for example, new icons for new types of beverages that may bedispensed from beverage dispenser 110, new ingredients (e.g., flavors)that may be added to a beverage dispensed from beverage dispenser 110,or new beverage costs. In some embodiments, software updates may includedrink construction formulations for new beverage products.

In some embodiments, remote controller 124 may collect dispenserinformation from controller 120. Dispenser information collected fromcontroller 120 may include but is not limited to: (1) amounts ofbeverages and types of beverages dispensed by beverage dispenser 110,(2) types of ingredients and amounts of ingredients 142 remaining iningredient sources 140 of dispensing system 100, (3) customer biometriccharacteristics, and (4) data from sensors 127. In some embodiments,remote controller 124 may store the dispenser information. In someembodiments, the dispenser information may be used to track customerpreferences. In some embodiments, remote controller 124 may be incommunication with a plurality of dispensing systems 100, which may ormay not be remotely located from each other (e.g., located at differentvenues).

Controller 120 and/or remote controller 124 may include or may be incommunication with a database 150. Database 150 may be configured tostore a plurality of authorized biometric characteristic profiles. FIG.2 illustrates exemplary authorized biometric characteristic profiles forexemplary customers. Each of the authorized profiles may include one ormore biometric characteristics (biometric IDs) and a customer account.And each customer account may include one or more of: a beveragedispensing rule, a beverage dispensing restriction, a promotionalbeverage allowance, and customer preferences. In some embodiments,customers may be assigned a customer number, which may be used by system100/database 150 to track customer biometric characteristics andaccounts.

A beverage dispensing rule is a rule that dictates the amount ofbeverage an authorized customer may dispense from a beverage dispenserdescribed herein. A beverage plan associated with a customer may includeone or more beverage dispensing rules associated with the plan. Beveragedispensing rules may include, for example, a volume-based dispensingrule, a re-fill allowance rule, a geographic location-based dispensingrule, a time-based rule, a prepaid credit dispensing rule, or anunlimited dispensing rule. In some embodiments, a customer account mayinclude a plurality of beverage dispensing rules. For example, acustomer account may include a geographic location-based dispensing rulepaired with a time-based rule for a beverage plan that allows a customerto dispense beverage(s) at a particular venue for a particulartime-period (e.g., for a single day). As another example, a customeraccount may include a volume-based dispensing rule paired with atime-based rule that allows a customer to dispense up to a particularvolume of beverage (e.g., 120 ounces) within a particular time-period(e.g., during a 4-hour window). Beverage dispensing rules may be storedand updated in database 150. In some embodiments, a beverage planassociated with a customer may be purchased. In some embodiments, abeverage plan associated with a customer may be provided to the customeras part of a promotion. In some embodiments, a beverage plan associatedwith a customer may be provided to the customer as part of a relatedpurchase. For example, the beverage plan may be provided to the customerin connection with the purchase of a ticket to an event or a venue, suchas, an amusement park, for example.

A volume-based dispensing rule limits the volume of beverage a customeris allowed to dispense from beverage dispenser(s) 110. For example, acustomer may purchase or receive a beverage plan that entitles thecustomer to 40 ounces of beverage, 80 ounces of beverage, 120 ounces ofbeverage, or 200 ounces of beverage. In such embodiments, controller 120and/or remote controller 124 may track a customer's volumetric beverageconsumption (dispensed beverages) by tracking the volume of beverage(s)dispensed after a customer at a beverage dispenser 110 is identified andauthenticated. By tracking the volume of beverages dispensed by anauthenticated customer, the volume dispensed can be subtracted from acustomer's entitled beverage volume, thereby updating the customer'sbeverage dispensing rule. For example, if a customer purchases orreceives a beverage plan that entitles the customer to 80 ounces ofbeverage, and the customer dispenses 13 ounces of beverage, his or hervolume-based beverage dispensing rule is updated to reflect the customeris only entitled to 67 more ounces of beverage. Additional beveragedispensing would decrease the volume amount in the same fashion.

A re-fill allowance rule limits the number of fixed-volume beveragepours a customer is allowed to dispense from beverage dispenser(s) 110.For example, a customer may purchase a beverage plan that entitles thecustomer to two 12 ounce re-fills, five 12 ounce re-fills, two 20 ouncere-fills, or five 20 ounce re-fills. In such embodiments, controller 120and/or remote controller 124 may track a customer's re-fill consumption(dispensed beverages) by tracking the number of re-fills dispensed aftera customer at a beverage dispenser 110 is identified and authenticated.By tracking the fixed-volume re-fills dispensed by the authenticatedcustomer, the number of re-fills consumed by a customer can besubtracted from the customer's entitled re-fill allowance, therebyupdating the customer's beverage dispensing rule. For example, if acustomer purchases or receives a beverage plan that entitles thecustomer to five 12 ounce re-fills, and the customer dispenses one 12ounce re-fill, his or her re-fill allowance rule is updated to reflectthe customer is only entitled to four more 12 ounce re-fills. In someembodiments, a customer may purchase or receive a beverage plan thatautomatically re-loads his or her re-fill allowance after a certain timehas elapsed. For example, a beverage dispensing plan may entitle acustomer to five 12 ounce re-fills every 24 hours.

A geographic location-based rule limits a customer to dispensing frombeverage dispenser(s) 110 located at one or more specific geographiclocations. For example, a customer may purchase or receive a beverageplan that entitles the customer to dispense beverages at a particularvenue (e.g., a theme park, stadium, or college campus). In suchembodiments, a customer may be able to dispense beverages from anybeverage dispenser located at the particular venue.

A time-based rule limits the time window during which a customer isallowed to dispense beverage dispenser(s) 110. For example, a customermay purchase or receive a beverage plan that entitles the customer todispense beverages for 24 hours, 48 hours, or a week. In someembodiments, a customer may purchase or receive a beverage plan thatentitles the customer to dispense beverages for a venue-specific timewindow. For example, the venue-specific time window may be a schoolsemester at a college campus, a concert series at a concert venue, aseasonal window at a theme park, or for the length of a sportstournament at a stadium. In some embodiments, a time-based rule mayallow unlimited dispensing during a time window (e.g., unlimitedbeverage pours during a college semester). In some embodiments, atime-based rule may be paired with a re-fill allowance or volume-basedrule to limit the maximum amount of beverage that may be dispensedduring a time window.

A prepaid credit dispensing rule limits the volume of beverage acustomer is allowed to dispense from beverage dispenser(s) 110 based ona price/unit of beverage purchased or received by a customer. The unitmay be, for example, a volume or a re-fill. For example, a customer maypurchase or receive a beverage plan with a $10, $20, $50, or $100 creditthat entitles the customer to dispense beverage up to the credit amount.In such embodiments, controller 120 and/or remote controller 124 maytrack a customer's credit amount by tracking the amount of beveragedispensed after a customer at a beverage dispenser 110 has beenidentified and authenticated. For example, in a volume-based pricesystem, the price per volume of a beverage may be 5 cents per ounce, 10cents per ounce, or 15 cents per ounce. If a customer purchases orreceives a beverage plan with a $10 credit, and the customer dispenses10 ounces of beverage that costs 5 cents per ounce, his or herdispensing rule is updated to reflect a credit of $9.50. Additionalbeverage dispensing would decrease the credit amount in the samefashion.

A prepaid credit based dispensing rule may facilitate the option ofcharging different prices for different drink types. For example, somebeverages may cost 5 cents per ounce and other beverages may cost 10cents per ounce. In some embodiments, user interface 122 may display thecost per ounce for different beverages, and a customer may make choicesbased on his or her preferences and cost. In some embodiments, a prepaidcredit dispensing rule may entitle a customer to a fixed price pervolume. In some embodiments, a prepaid credit dispensing rule mayentitle a customer to a variable price per volume. The variable priceper volume may increase or decrease over time for the same and/ordifferent beverages.

An unlimited beverage dispensing rule allows an authenticated customerto dispense unlimited amounts of beverage(s) from beverage dispenser(s)110. Often times an unlimited beverage dispensing rule may be pairedwith another rule, such as a time-based rule or geographiclocation-based rule.

In some embodiments, a purchased beverage plan may include a beveragedispensing restriction. Beverage dispensing restrictions may restrictthe amount and/or kind of beverage that may be dispensed by a customer.For example, a parent or guardian may purchase or receive a beverageplan the limits the amount of soft drink a child may dispense. Beveragedispensing restrictions include, but are not limited to, a maximumvolume allowance restriction, a re-fill allowance restriction, and abeverage type restriction. Maximum volume and re-fill allowancerestrictions limit the amount of beverage a customer may dispense. Insome embodiments, a maximum volume or re-fill allowance restriction mayinclude a time component. For example, a maximum volume or number ofre-fills per X number of minutes or Y number of hours. A beverage typerestriction may allow dispensing of only certain types of beverages, forexample, non-diet beverages only, diet beverages only, beverages withnatural sweetener only, beverages with artificial sweetener only, zerocalorie beverages only, or caffeine-free beverages only. In someembodiments, a purchased or received beverage plan may include aplurality of beverage restrictions. For example, a beverage volumerestriction may be paired with a beverage type restriction. In such anembodiment, a certain type of beverage (e.g., non-diet beverages) may bedispensed up to a certain volume (e.g., 20 ounces per 24 hours), andthereafter only other types of beverage (e.g., diet beverages) may bedispensed. Beverage dispensing restrictions may be added to, stored, andupdated in database 150.

In some embodiments, a customer account may include one or morepromotional beverage allowances. In some embodiments, promotionalbeverage allowances may be associated with customer beverage plans. Insome embodiments, promotional beverage allowances may be gifted tocustomers based on a loyalty or reward program. In some embodiments,promotional beverage allowances may be gifted to customers as part of amarketing campaign. Promotional beverage allowances may include, forexample, a free re-fill or a free volume of beverage (e.g., 20 ounces).Promotional beverage allowances may be added to, stored, and updated indatabase 150.

In some embodiments, a customer account may include one or more customerpreferences. Customer preferences may include, for example, but notlimited to, a customer's favorite beverage type(s), favorite beveragecombinations or recipes, most recent beverage selections, preferredlanguage, or preferred display screen configuration. In someembodiments, electronic display screen 123 may display information basedon an authenticated customer's preferences. In some embodiments,electronic display screen 123 of user interface 122 may display beverageselections for an identified customer's favorite drinks in a quickaccess category portion of electronic display screen 123. In someembodiments, most recent beverage selections for an identified customermay be displayed in a quick access portion of electronic display screen123.

A customer may set up and/or update a customer profile (e.g., abiometric characteristic profile) prior to arriving at a venue or at thevenue. In some embodiments, a beverage dispenser 110 may allow acustomer to set up and/or update his or her profile. In someembodiments, beverage dispenser 110 may collect information for customerprofiles. In some embodiments, a customer may set up and/or updatehis/her profile on a mobile device, such as a mobile phone or a tabletcomputer. In any event, the customer profile and/or updates may be sentto and stored in database 150 for access by controller 120 and/or remotecontroller 124.

In some embodiments, a customer may purchase or receive a beverage planin-person at a venue. In some embodiments, a customer may purchase orreceive a beverage plan online. In some embodiments, a customer maydownload and store a mobile device application on his or her personaldevice 160 that includes computer readable media, which when executed,is configured to collect profile data and send the data to database 150.In some embodiments, the device application connects to a database ofavailable beverage plans and a customer may select a beverage plan theywish to purchase or receive via the mobile device application.

Biometric characteristic(s) of a customer may be collected prior to thecustomer arriving at a venue or when a customer is at a venue. Forexample, in some embodiments, a customer's biometric characteristic(s)may be collected by a customer's personal device 160 (e.g., a mobilephone or tablet computer). In such embodiments, biometric sensors of thecustomer's personal device 160 may collect biometric data and send thebiometric data to database 150. In some embodiments, a customer maydownload and store a mobile device application which includes computerreadable media configured to collect and send biometric data to database150. For example, when purchasing or receiving a beverage plan onlineusing his/her personal device 160, a customer might upload a biometriccharacteristic to database 150 (e.g., a picture of a thumbprint, afingerprint profile captured using his or her personal device'sfingerprint reader, a picture of his or her face captured using his orher personal device's camera, or a voice sample).

In some embodiments, biometric characteristics of a customer may becollected at a venue. In some embodiments, a beverage dispenser 110 maybe configured to collect a customer's biometric characteristic(s). Insuch embodiments, biometric sensor(s) 125 of beverage dispenser 110 maycollect biometric data and controller 120 and/or remote controller 124may send the biometric data to database 150. For example, at a venue, acustomer may be able to register biometric data using a biometric sensor125 associated with a beverage dispenser 110 (e.g., a customer may scanhis or her fingerprint on a fingerprint reader).

In some embodiments, a customer's personal device 160 with a mobiledevice application stored on device 160 may interact with a dispenser110. In some embodiments, a customer may initiate communication betweenhis or her personal device 160 and select a beverage plan. Dispenser 110and personal device 160 may be configured to communicate via, forexample, Bluetooth, near-field communication (NFC), ultrasound, orBluetooth Low Energy (BLE) methods. Bluetooth, near-field communication(NFC), and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) methods send messages using radiowaves. In some embodiments, controller 120 and/or remote controller 124associated with a beverage dispenser 110 may authenticate a customer andassociate a customer with a customer profile based on data communicatedfrom the customer's personal device 160 to beverage dispenser 110.

In some embodiments, a customer's personal device 160 may send a messagein the form of a sound wave (e.g., an ultrasound message) to a beveragedispenser 110 when the customer is ready to dispense a beverage using apurchased or received beverage plan. The message may includeidentification data of the customer. After receipt of the customermessage, and authentication of the customer, beverage dispenser 110 mayunlock to allow dispensing. Then, beverage dispenser 110 may send amessage in the form of a sound wave (e.g., ultrasound message) back tocustomer device 160 indicating the customer may begin dispensing abeverage. After dispensing is completed, beverage dispenser 110 may sendanother sound wave message to personal device 160 indicating one or morecharacteristics of the dispensed beverage, for example, the volume,type, dispensing time, beverage cost, etc. The customer's beveragedispensing rule may then be updated based on the characteristic(s). Insuch embodiments, dispenser 110 may not be in communication withdatabase 150 and controller 120 of dispenser 110 may rely on acustomer's personal device 160 in order to receive and send informationto and from database 150. In such embodiments, the customer's personaldevice 160 may relay information from database 150 to dispenser 110, andvice versa. This two-way communication between dispenser 110 andpersonal device 160 may be used to identify a customer, associate thecustomer with a customer account, and track the customer's beverageconsumption.

In some embodiments, dispenser 110 may be connected to database 150 anddispenser 110 may receive one or more sound wave messages from acustomer's personal device 160 that identify the personal device 160 todispenser 110. In such embodiments, a customer may approach a dispenser110 and present his or her personal device 160, which has a mobileapplication stored thereon with an associated customer account. Afterapproaching dispenser 110, the customer may instruct his or her personaldevice 160 to emit one or more sound wave messages to dispenser 110. Thesound wave message(s) from device 160 include coded information relatedto the customer's profile that controller 120 of dispenser 110 uses toidentify the customer's personal device 160, and therefore the customerassociated with the personal device 160. In such embodiments, dispenser110 is connected to database 150 and controller 120 and/or remotecontroller 124 cross-references the identified customer against what hisor her drink plan is and authenticates a customer. And, after dispensingis completed by the authenticated customer, beverage dispenser 110 maysend a message to database 150 indicating one or more characteristics ofthe dispensed beverage, for example, the volume, type, dispensing time,beverage cost, etc. A customer may indicate dispensing is completed bypressing a button or icon on user interface 122 of dispenser 110. Theone-way communication from customer device 160 to dispenser 110 in suchembodiments may be used to identify a customer, associate the customerwith a customer account, and track the customer's beverage consumption.

In some embodiments, the sound wave messages sent between a customer'spersonal device 160 and a dispenser 110 may be inaudible to a human ear.In such embodiments, the sound wave messages may have a frequencyoutside the range of 20 hertz (Hz) to 20 kHz. The one- and two-waycommunication between a personal device 160 and dispenser 110 may beaccomplished by wireless communication techniques other than sound wavemessages. For example, the one- and two-way communication may beaccomplished via Bluetooth, near-field communication (NFC), or BluetoothLow Energy (BLE) messages.

In some embodiments, a customer's personal device 160 with a mobiledevice application stored on device 160 may be used to access database150 and track the customer's dispensing at a beverage dispenser 110. Insuch embodiments, a customer may open the mobile device application andselect a purchased beverage plan from which to consume purchasedbeverage. Then, after selecting a purchased beverage plan, the customermay identify a particular beverage dispenser 110 from which to dispensebeverages. Based on the selected beverage plan and beverage dispenser110, controller 120 and/or remote controller 124 may determine whetheror not the customer is authorized to dispense beverage(s) from thedispenser 110. If the customer is authorized by controller 120 and/orremote controller 124, the beverage dispenser 110 is unlocked andbeverage dispensing at the beverage dispenser 110 is permitted.

In some embodiments, to identify a beverage dispenser 110, a customermay enter a pin number associated with a particular dispenser 110 usinga mobile device application on his or her personal device 160. In suchembodiments, database 150 may store pin numbers for all beveragedispenser(s) 110 and controller 120 and/or remote controller 124 mayquery database 150 to determine whether or not a customer's beverageplan allows the customer to dispense from a particular dispenser 110.

In some embodiments, dispenser(s) 110 may include machine readableindicia (e.g., a barcode or QR code) displayed on dispenser(s) 110 withcoded data identifying particular dispensers. A customer may scan themachine readable indicia with his or her personal device 160 to identifya particular beverage dispenser from which he or she wishes to dispense.In such embodiments, database 150 may store barcode or QR code data forall beverage dispenser(s) 110 and controller 120 and/or remotecontroller 124 may query database 150 to determine whether or not acustomer's beverage plan allows the customer to dispense from aparticular dispenser 110.

In some embodiments, a dispenser 110 may include an ultrasound emitter(e.g., a LISNR® device) configured to emit sound waves readable by acorresponding ultrasound decoder (e.g., a LISNR® device). A customer mayactivate an ultrasound decoder on his or her personal device 160 toidentify a particular beverage dispenser from which he or she wishes todispense. In such embodiments, database 150 may store unique ultrasoundidentifiers for all beverage dispenser(s) 110 and controller 120 and/orremote controller 124 may query database 150 to determine whether or nota customer's beverage plan allows the customer to dispense from aparticular dispenser 110.

In some embodiments, a customer may swipe a magnetic strip cardcontaining purchased beverage plan information at a beverage dispenser110. Based on the information on the magnetic strip, controller 120and/or remote controller 124 may determine whether or not a customer isauthorized to dispense beverages. If authorized, the customer maydispense beverages, and after dispensing, the customer's purchasedbeverage plan may be updated in database 150. In some embodiments, themagnetic strip may be a read/write magnetic strip and purchased beverageplan information may be updated and stored on the card. In someembodiments, a handled item (e.g., a card, a fob, or customer's personaldevice 160) may emit a magnetic signal mimicking swiping of magneticstrip card (e.g., like Samsung's LoopPay technology having magneticsecure transmission).

In some embodiments, dispensing system 100 may include an ice dispenser114 coupled to an ice reservoir 118. Ice dispenser 114 may include anice chute 116 coupled to ice reservoir 118. A valve 117, such as aguillotine-type door, may control the flow of ice from ice reservoir 118into ice chute 116.

Dispensing system 100 may include one or more base liquid sources 130.Base liquid sources 130 may be, but are not limited to, a tap watersource (e.g., tap water line) and a carbonated water source (e.g.,carbonated water reservoir or carbonator). Base liquid sources 130 maybe coupled to dispenser 110 via base liquid delivery conduits 134.Valves/pumps 135 in communication with base liquid delivery conduits 134may be configured to control the flow of base liquid through base liquiddelivery conduits 134 and into beverage dispenser 110.

In some embodiments, a dispenser 110 may allow any customer to dispenseplain water, ice, and/or plain carbonated water without identifying orauthenticating the customer. In such embodiments, user interface 122 ofdispenser 110 may allow any customer to select plain water, ice, and/orplain carbonated water, and controller 120 and/or remote controller 124may initiate dispensing without identifying or authenticating thecustomer. If a customer desires to dispense beverage(s) other than plainwater, ice, and/or plain carbonated water (e.g., soft drinks),controller 120 and/or remote controller 124 may require identificationand authentication of the customer.

Dispensing system 100 may include one or more ingredient sources 140.Ingredient sources 140 may include a plurality of ingredients 142 (142-1through 142-n). Ingredients 142 may include liquid ingredients, such asbut not limited to, sweeteners (e.g., sugars or artificial sweeteners),syrups or flavorings (e.g., cola syrups or flavorings, brand soda syrupsor flavoring (e.g., Pepsi®, Mountain Dew®, or Sierra Mist®), orangeflavoring, lime flavoring, cherry flavoring, tea flavorings, etc.), orother liquid additives (e.g., vitamins, acids (e.g., citric acid),salts, electrolytes, or colorings). Ingredients 142 may be packagedwithin a container, such as but not limited to a cartridge or bag. Eachingredient 142 may be delivered to dispenser 110 via ingredient deliveryconduits 144. Valves/pumps 145 in communication with ingredient deliveryconduits 144 may be configured to control the flow of ingredientsthrough ingredient delivery conduits 144 and into beverage dispenser110.

In dispensing systems 100 including multiple beverage dispensers 110,beverage dispensers 110 may share base liquid source(s) 130 and/oringredient source(s) 140. In some embodiments, each beverage dispenser110 in a dispensing system 100 may have its own dedicated base liquidsource(s) 130 and/or ingredient source(s) 140.

In some embodiments, controller 120 may include and/or may be configuredto read sensors 127 associated with dispensing system 100. Sensors 127may include pressure sensors for monitoring the pressure of a baseliquid within a base liquid delivery conduit 134 and/or for monitoringthe pressure of an ingredient within an ingredient delivery conduit 144.Sensors 127 may also include flow sensors (e.g., flow meters) formeasuring the flow of base liquids and ingredients within deliveryconduits 134 and 144, respectively. In some embodiments, sensors 127 mayinclude level sensors for measuring the amount of each ingredient 142remaining within an ingredient source 140. Sensors 127 may be used totrack, for example, the volume of beverages dispensed by a customer, thenumber of re-fills dispensed by a customer, the type of beveragesdispensed by a customer, and/or the length of time a customer dispensedbeverage(s).

Sensors 127 may also include, but are not limited to sensors configuredto monitor (1) carbon dioxide tank levels (e.g., one, two or more carbondioxide regulators); (2) carbonization head pressure of a carbonatorconfigured to carbonate water; (3) ambient temperature of a room (e.g.,a backroom) in which base liquids and/or ingredients are stored (therebymonitoring whether one or more base liquids and/or ingredients aremaintained at pre-determined temperature level or within apre-determined temperature range); (4) water filtration systemparameters (e.g., water pressure, differential pressure on filters); (5)pH of water or carbonated water; (6) the expiration date of aningredient container (e.g., by reading a bar code associated within aningredient container). Sensors 127 may be connected to an input/output(“I/O”) rack or device, and may be configured to transmit or receivesignals over a wired or wireless network to controller 120. Controller120 may be configured to control the operations of dispensing system 100based on data (e.g., pressure and flow values) collected by sensors 127.

In some embodiments, controller 120 may use the types of ingredientsavailable at a beverage dispenser 110 and a customer account tocustomize the information displayed on display screen 123 for a specificcustomer. For example, a controller 120 may be configured to display agreeting message with the customer's name and the customer's mostselected beverage choices (e.g., the customer's favorite beverages). Insome embodiments, controller 120 may track customer preferences.

Controller 120 may control the dispensing of beverages and ice frombeverage dispenser 110 and ice dispenser 114, respectively. Controller120 may control the dispensing of ice by controlling valve 117.Controller 120 may open and close valve 117 in response to a user inputreceived from user interface 122. Controller 120 may be configured todispense different amounts of ice depending on a user's selection. Forexample, buttons or touchscreen icons may be provided on user interface122 for a “standard” amount of ice, a “large” amount of ice, and a“small” amount of ice.

Controller 120 may control the dispensing of a beverage, which may be amixture of a base liquid and one more ingredients 142 from beveragedispenser 110. Controller 120 may control the flow of a base liquid frombase liquid sources 130 by controlling valve/pumps 135. In someembodiments, controller 120 may be configured to dispense ice from icedispenser 114, via ice chute 116, and dispense a beverage (e.g., a baseliquid mixed with one or more ingredients) from beverage dispenser 110simultaneously.

FIG. 3 shows a dispenser 300 according to some embodiments. Dispenser300 may include a body 302 and a drip tray 304 with a dispense location306 located within the area occupied by drip tray 304. A user (e.g., acustomer) may place his or her container at dispense location 306 toreceive his or her desired beverage and/or to receive ice. Body 302 mayinclude a user interface 310 for receiving commands from a customer.User interface 310 may include an electronic display screen 312configured to display information for a customer and/or receive commandsfrom a customer. Electronic display screen 312 may be a touch screen,such as but not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD) touchscreenor a light emitting diode (LED) touchscreen.

Body 302 may house a dispensing manifold 320 including a dispensingnozzle 322 for dispensing a beverage at dispense location 306. In someembodiments, dispenser 300 may be configured to sit on a counter-top ata venue. In some embodiments, dispenser 300 may be a standalonedispenser having its own support structure for elevating it above floorlevel at a venue.

Dispenser 300 may be configured to dispense a beverage into a containerplaced underneath dispensing nozzle 322 of dispenser 300, such as ondrip tray 304 at dispense location 306. A customer may make a selectionof his or her desired beverage to be dispensed by dispenser 300 and/orinitiate the dispensing of the beverage by interacting with electronicdisplay screen 312. In some embodiments, ice for a beverage may bedispensed by the dispenser 300. As used herein, a “container” includesany suitable beverage container, such as but not limited to, a cup, abottle, a flask, a jug, or a mug.

Dispenser 300 may include one or more biometric sensors 325. Biometricsensors 325 may be, for example, a fingerprint reader, a finger veinscanner, a retinal scanner, an iris scanner, a camera, a microphone, orother sensor configured to read a unique biometric characteristic of anindividual. In some embodiments, one or more biometric sensors 325 maybe located on dispenser 300. In some embodiments, one or more biometricsensors 325 may be located on an external device 330 in communicationwith dispenser 300 via a wired or wireless communication line 332. Insome embodiments, external device 330 may be a pad including a biometricsensor 325, for example a fingerprint reader. In some embodiments,external device 330 may be coupled to an adjacent table top or wallwithin arm's reach of dispenser 300.

In some embodiments, electronic display screen 312 may include abiometric sensor 325, such as a fingerprint reader or a finger veinscanner. A biometric sensor 325 integrated with electronic displayscreen 312 may capture customer biometric data when a customer toucheselectronic display screen 312. In such embodiments, electronic displayscreen 312 may be a touch screen and the customer's contact with thetouch screen may initiate reading of biometric data. In someembodiments, a customer's contact with a specific icon 326 on the touchscreen may simultaneously or instantaneously initiate reading ofbiometric data. In some embodiments, icon 326 may be an icon forinitiating reading of biometric data and initiating dispensing of abeverage from dispenser 300, after a customer's biometric data isauthenticated. In other words, the touch screen icon 326 may serve tocollect biometric data and as an actuator for initiating beveragedispensing from dispensing nozzle 322.

In some embodiments, dispenser 300 may include one or more actuators 324for initiating beverage dispensing from dispensing nozzle 322.Actuator(s) 324 may be, for example, a push button or a capacitive touchbutton. In some embodiments, actuator(s) 324 may include a biometricsensor 325, such as a fingerprint reader or a finger vein scanner. Abiometric sensor 325 integrated with actuator 324 may capture customerbiometric data when a customer touches actuator 324. In suchembodiments, actuator 324 may serve to collect biometric data andinitiate beverage dispensing from dispensing nozzle 322, after acustomer is authenticated.

FIG. 4 shows a dispenser 400 according to some embodiments. Dispenser400 may include a body 402 and a drip tray 404 with dispense locations406 located within the area occupied by drip tray 404. A customer mayplace his or her container at a dispense location 406 to receive his orher desired beverage. Body 402 may include a user interface 410 forreceiving commands from a customer. User interface 410 may include anelectronic display screen 412, logos 420, and/or levers 424. Electronicdisplay screen 412, logos 420, and/or levers 424 may be configured todisplay information for a customer and/or receive commands from acustomer. In some embodiments, electronic display screen 412 may be atouch screen, such as but not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD)touchscreen or a light emitting diode (LED) touchscreen.

Dispenser 400 includes a plurality of dispensing nozzles 422 fordispensing the same or different beverages at respective dispenselocations 406. In some embodiments, each dispensing nozzle 422 may beassociated with a respective logo 420 that indicates the type ofbeverage that will dispense from a respective dispensing nozzle 422. Insome embodiments, logos 420 may be buttons (e.g., push buttons orcapacitive touch buttons) for initiating beverage dispensing from adispensing nozzle 422. In some embodiments, dispenser 400 may beconfigured to sit on a counter-top at a venue. In some embodiments,dispenser 400 may be a standalone dispenser having its own supportstructure for elevating it above floor level at a venue.

Dispenser 400 may be configured to dispense a beverage into a containerplaced underneath a dispensing nozzle 422 of dispenser 400, such as ondrip tray 404 at a dispense location 406. In some embodiments, acustomer may initiate the dispensing of a beverage by pressing a logo420. In some embodiments, actuating levers 424 may initiate thedispensing of a beverage from associated dispensing nozzles 422.

Dispenser 400 may include one or more biometric sensors 425. Biometricsensors 425 may be a fingerprint reader, a finger vein scanner, aretinal scanner, an iris scanner, a camera, a microphone, or othersensor configured to read a unique biometric characteristic of anindividual. In some embodiments, one or more biometric sensors 425 maybe located on dispenser 400. In some embodiments, one or more biometricsensors 425 may be located on an external device 430 in communicationwith dispenser 400 via a wired or wireless communication line 432. Insome embodiments, external device 430 may be a pad including a biometricsensor 425, for example a fingerprint reader. In some embodiments,external device 430 may be coupled to a table top or wall within arm'sreach of dispenser 400.

In some embodiments, electronic display screen 412 may include abiometric sensor 425, such as a fingerprint reader or a finger veinscanner. A biometric sensor 425 integrated with electronic displayscreen 412 may capture customer biometric data when a customer toucheselectronic display screen 412. In such embodiments, electronic displayscreen 412 may be a touch screen and the customer's contact with thetouch screen may initiate reading of biometric data. In someembodiments, a customer's contact with an icon 426 on the touch screenmay initiate reading of biometric data.

In some embodiments, logo(s) 420 may include a biometric sensor 425,such as a fingerprint reader or a finger vein scanner. A biometricsensor 425 integrated with logo 420 may capture customer biometric datawhen a customer touches logo 420. In such embodiments, logo 420 mayserve to collect biometric data and initiate beverage dispensing from adispensing nozzle 422, after a customer is authenticated.

FIG. 5 shows a dispenser 500 according to some embodiments. Dispenser500 may include a body 502 and a drip tray 504 with dispense locations506 located within the area occupied by drip tray 504. A customer mayplace his or her container at a dispense location 506 to receive his orher desired beverage. Body 502 may include a user interface 510 forreceiving commands from a customer. User interface 510 may include anelectronic display screen 512 and handles 524. Electronic display screen512 and/or handles 524 may be configured to display information for acustomer and/or receive commands from a customer. In some embodiments,electronic display screen 512 may be a touch screen, such as but notlimited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD) touchscreen or a lightemitting diode (LED) touchscreen.

Dispenser 500 includes a plurality of dispensing nozzles 522 fordispensing the same or different beverages at respective dispenselocations 506. In some embodiments, each dispensing nozzle 522 may beassociated with a respective handle 524. In some embodiments, handles524 may be pivotably coupled to a handle assembly 523. In someembodiments, handle assembly 523 may include logos 520 that indicate thetype of beverage that will dispense from a respective dispensing nozzle522 upon actuation of the corresponding handle 524. In some embodiments,dispenser 500 may be configured to sit on a counter-top at a venue. Insome embodiments, dispenser 500 may be a standalone dispenser having itsown support structure for elevating it above floor level at a venue.

Dispenser 500 may be configured to dispense a beverage into a containerplaced underneath a dispensing nozzle 522 of dispenser 500, such as ondrip tray 504 at a dispense location 506. In some embodiments, acustomer may initiate the dispensing of a beverage by actuating (e.g.,pushing or pulling) a handle 524. The actuation of handles 524 mayinitiate the dispensing of a beverage from associated dispensing nozzles522.

Dispenser 500 may include one or more biometric sensors 525. Biometricsensors 525 may be a fingerprint reader, a finger vein scanner, aretinal scanner, an iris scanner, a camera, a microphone, or othersensor configured to read a unique biometric characteristic of anindividual. In some embodiments, one or more biometric sensors 525 maybe located on dispenser 500. In some embodiments, one or more biometricsensors 525 may be located on an external device 530 in communicationwith dispenser 500 via a wired or wireless communication line 532. Insome embodiments, external device 530 may be a pad including a biometricsensor 525, for example a fingerprint reader. In some embodiments,external device 530 may be coupled to a table top or wall within arm'sreach of dispenser 500.

In some embodiments, electronic display screen 512 may include abiometric sensor 525, such as a fingerprint reader or a finger veinscanner. A biometric sensor 525 integrated with electronic displayscreen 512 may capture customer biometric data when a customer toucheselectronic display screen 512. In such embodiments, electronic displayscreen 512 may be a touch screen and the customer's contact with thetouch screen may initiate reading of biometric data. In someembodiments, a customer's contact with an icon 526 on the touch screenmay initiate reading of biometric data.

In some embodiments, handles(s) 524 may include a biometric sensor 525,such as a fingerprint reader or a finger vein scanner. A biometricsensor 525 integrated with handle 524 may capture customer biometricdata when a customer grasps handle 524. In such embodiments, handle 524may serve to collect biometric data and initiate beverage dispensingfrom a dispensing nozzle 522, after a customer's biometric data isauthenticated. In some embodiments, biometric sensors 525 on handles 524may be microphones for recording a customer's voice profile. In someembodiments, a biometric sensor 525 may be located on handle assembly523 of dispenser 500.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary method 600 for dispensing beverage(s)according to some embodiments. While method 600 is described in thecontext of collecting customer biometric data, any type of customer datadiscussed herein may be employed by the steps of method 600 to authentica customer and dispense beverage(s) to the authenticated customer. Forexample, customer data read from a magnetic strip or received from acustomer's personal device may be used to authenticate the customer anddispense beverages according to method 600.

In step 610, a plurality of authorized biometric characteristic profilesare stored in database 150. For example, the biometric characteristicsprofiles of FIG. 2 may be stored in database 150. Step 610 may alsoinclude collecting the data for the biometric characteristic profiles.For example, step 610 may include receiving a customer's request topurchase a particular beverage plan. When selecting a beverage plan forpurchase, a customer may specify, among other things, the type ofbeverage rule(s) for a beverage plan and any beverage restrictions forthe beverage plan. These customer selections may be stored in database150 and associated with a particular customer account. Step 610 may alsoinclude collecting biometric data from customers as discussed herein.Based on information collected from a customer, a biometric profileincluding one or more biometric characteristics and a customer accountwith one or more beverage dispensing rules is created and stored indatabase 150.

In step 620, a customer biometric characteristic is collected at abeverage dispenser 110 with a biometric sensor 125, thereby identifyinga customer to system 100. For example, customer number 041987 mayapproach a beverage dispenser 110 and place his or her finger on afingerprint reader associated with the beverage dispenser 110. Thefinger printer reader may collect the customer's fingerprint, whichidentifies the customer to system 100. In some embodiments, electronicdisplay screen 123 may instruct a customer to present a biometriccharacteristic to the beverage dispenser (e.g., instruct the customer toplace his or her finger on a fingerprint reader).

In step 630, the customer at the beverage dispenser is authenticated bycomparing the collected customer biometric characteristic(s) to theauthorized biometric characteristic profiles in database 150. Forexample, controller 120 and/or remote controller 124 may compare thefingerprint scan collected from customer number 041987 to storedfingerprint scans in database 150 to determine if customer number 041987has an authorized account with system 100. Also, in step 630, if anauthorized account exists, controller 120 and/or remote controller 124may determine the customer's beverage dispensing rule and whether or notthe beverage dispensing rule has been exhausted. Step 630 may alsoinclude determining whether or not the customer number has a beveragedispensing restrictions or promotional allowances.

If an authorized account exists and the account's beverage dispensingrule is not exhausted, the customer is authenticated and method 600proceeds to step 640. If no authorized account exists or an account'sbeverage dispensing rule is exhausted, the customer is not authenticatedand method 600 returns to step 620. In some embodiments, electronicdisplay screen 123 may display an indication that a beverage dispenser110 is attempting to authenticate a customer. In such embodiments,display screen 123 may display the text “authentication in progress.” Insome embodiments, lights on a dispenser may indicate the status of anauthentication process. For example, a yellow light may indicate thatauthentication is in progress, a green light may indicate that acustomer has been authenticated, and a red light may indicate a customerhas not been authenticated. If authentication fails, a customer may beinstructed to attempt authentication again.

In step 640, the authenticated customer is associated with his or herparticular authorized biometric characteristic profile in database 150.By associating the customer with his or her profile, system 100 cantrack beverage(s) dispensed by the customer. For example, dispensingactions made by customer number 041987, previously authenticated in step630, are associated with his or her account in step 640. In step 640,controller 120 may inform system 100 that it has engaged in a dispensingsession with an authenticated customer by actively pinging remotecontroller 124. Also, controller 120 may inform system 100 thatdispensing from a particular dispenser 110 is being performed by aparticular authenticated customer. This allows system 100 to trackbeverage dispensing by an authenticated customer.

In this manner, system 100 can restrict the customer's dispensingcapabilities to only those authorized for his or her account. Forexample, if customer number 041987 has 20 ounces remaining in his or herbeverage dispensing rule, beverage dispenser 110 may prevent additionaldispensing after 20 ounces have been dispensed. As another example, ifcustomer number 051393 attempts to dispense a beverage with naturalsweeter, beverage dispenser 110 may prevent such dispensing becausecustomer number 051393 has a “artificial sweetener only” beveragedispensing restriction. In some embodiments, display screen 123 maydisplay an indication that a customer is not permitted to dispense abeverage or additional beverage.

In step 650, beverage is dispensed at beverage dispenser 110 based onthe particular authorized biometric characteristic profile. Afterbeverage dispensing is completed in step 650, controller 120 and/orcontroller 124 may record one or more characteristics of the dispensingsession, for example, the volume, type, dispensing time, beverage cost,etc. The customer's beverage dispensing rule may then be updated indatabase 150 based on the characteristics. All or portions of step 640may be performed before, after, and/or during step 650. In someembodiments, steps 640 and 650 may be performed simultaneously.

In some embodiments, controller 120 may be configured to allow beveragedispensing for a predetermined amount of time. And, once thepredetermined amount of time expires, controller 120 may be configuredto prevent beverage dispensing until a future customer is authenticated.In some embodiments, a dispensing session with an authenticated customermay time out if the customer does not complete dispensing within amaximum time limit. In other words, controller 120 may start a timerthat expires after a certain time. In some embodiments, electronicdisplay screen 123 of beverage dispenser 110 may display a timerextension icon to give a customer additional time. If a session timesout, method 600 may return to step 620 to identify and authorize a new(or the same) customer. In some embodiments, electronic display screen123 may include a “done” or “complete” button or icon. In someembodiments, a dispenser 110 may have a proximity sensor that recognizesa customer has left front of machine, thereby ending a dispensingsession with the customer. One or more of these features may helpprevent piggybacking by only leaving an authenticated customer'sdispensing session open for a limited time.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary computer system 700 in whichembodiments, or portions thereof, may be implemented ascomputer-readable code. For example, collection of customer data (e.g.,biometric data), identification of a customer based on collected data,authentication of customer accounts, and/or tracking of customeraccounts may be implemented in computer system 700 using hardware,software, firmware, tangible computer readable media having instructionsstored thereon, or a combination thereof and may be implemented in oneor more computer systems or other processing systems. Controllersdiscussed herein may be computer systems having all or some of thecomponents of computer system 700 for implementing processes discussedherein.

If programmable logic is used, such logic may execute on a commerciallyavailable processing platform or a special purpose device. One ofordinary skill in the art may appreciate that embodiments of thedisclosed subject matter can be practiced with various computer systemconfigurations, including multi-core multiprocessor systems,minicomputers, and mainframe computers, computer linked or clusteredwith distributed functions, as well as pervasive or miniature computersthat may be embedded into virtually any device.

For instance, at least one processor device and a memory may be used toimplement the above described embodiments. A processor device may be asingle processor, a plurality of processors, or combinations thereof.Processor devices may have one or more processor “cores.”

Various embodiments of the invention(s) may be implemented in terms ofthis example computer system 700. After reading this description, itwill become apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art how toimplement one or more of the invention(s) using other computer systemsand/or computer architectures. Although operations may be described as asequential process, some of the operations may in fact be performed inparallel, concurrently, and/or in a distributed environment, and withprogram code stored locally or remotely for access by single ormulti-processor machines. In addition, in some embodiments the order ofoperations may be rearranged without departing from the spirit of thedisclosed subject matter.

Processor device 704 may be a special purpose or a general purposeprocessor device. As will be appreciated by persons skilled in therelevant art, processor device 704 may also be a single processor in amulti-core/multiprocessor system, such system operating alone, or in acluster of computing devices operating in a cluster or server farm.Processor device 704 is connected to a communication infrastructure 706,for example, a bus, message queue, network, or multi-coremessage-passing scheme.

Computer system 700 also includes a main memory 708, for example, randomaccess memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory 710.Secondary memory 710 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 712, orremovable storage drive 714. Removable storage drive 714 may include afloppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, a flashmemory, or the like. The removable storage drive 714 reads from and/orwrites to a removable storage unit 718 in a well-known manner. Removablestorage unit 718 may include a floppy disk, magnetic tape, optical disk,a universal serial bus (USB) drive, etc. which is read by and written toby removable storage drive 714. As will be appreciated by personsskilled in the relevant art, removable storage unit 718 includes acomputer usable storage medium having stored therein computer softwareand/or data.

Computer system 700 (optionally) includes a display interface 702 (whichcan include input and output devices such as keyboards, mice, etc.) thatforwards graphics, text, and other data from communicationinfrastructure 706 (or from a frame buffer not shown) for display ondisplay unit 730.

In alternative implementations, secondary memory 710 may include othersimilar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to beloaded into computer system 700. Such means may include, for example, aremovable storage unit 722 and an interface 720. Examples of such meansmay include a program cartridge and cartridge interface (such as thatfound in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM,or PROM) and associated socket, and other removable storage units 722and interfaces 720 which allow software and data to be transferred fromthe removable storage unit 722 to computer system 700.

Computer system 700 may also include a communication interface 724.Communication interface 724 allows software and data to be transferredbetween computer system 700 and external devices. Communicationinterface 724 may include a modem, a network interface (such as anEthernet card), a communication port, a PCMCIA slot and card, or thelike. Software and data transferred via communication interface 724 maybe in the form of signals, which may be electronic, electromagnetic,optical, or other signals capable of being received by communicationinterface 724. These signals may be provided to communication interface724 via a communication path 726. Communication path 726 carries signalsand may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line,a cellular phone link, an RF link or other communication channels.

In this document, the terms “computer program medium” and “computerusable medium” are used to generally refer to media such as removablestorage unit 718, removable storage unit 722, and a hard disk installedin hard disk drive 712. Computer program medium and computer usablemedium may also refer to memories, such as main memory 708 and secondarymemory 710, which may be memory semiconductors (e.g. DRAMs, etc.).

Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored inmain memory 708 and/or secondary memory 710. Computer programs may alsobe received via communication interface 724. Such computer programs,when executed, enable computer system 700 to implement the embodimentsas discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, whenexecuted, enable processor device 704 to implement the processes of theembodiments discussed here. Accordingly, such computer programsrepresent controllers of the computer system 700. Where the embodimentsare implemented using software, the software may be stored in a computerprogram product and loaded into computer system 700 using removablestorage drive 714, interface 720, and hard disk drive 712, orcommunication interface 724.

Embodiments of the invention(s) also may be directed to computer programproducts comprising software stored on any computer useable medium. Suchsoftware, when executed in one or more data processing device, causes adata processing device(s) to operate as described herein. Embodiments ofthe invention(s) may employ any computer useable or readable medium.Examples of computer useable mediums include, but are not limited to,primary storage devices (e.g., any type of random access memory),secondary storage devices (e.g., hard drives, floppy disks, CD ROMS, ZIPdisks, tapes, magnetic storage devices, and optical storage devices,MEMS, nanotechnological storage device, etc.).

It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and notthe Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpretthe claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or morebut not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention(s) ascontemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit thepresent invention(s) and the appended claims in any way.

The present invention(s) have been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specifiedfunctions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functionalbuilding blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenienceof the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as thespecified functions and relationships thereof are appropriatelyperformed.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fullyreveal the general nature of the invention(s) that others can, byapplying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/oradapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undueexperimentation, without departing from the general concept of thepresent invention(s). Therefore, such adaptations and modifications areintended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of thedisclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presentedherein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminologyherein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, suchthat the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is tobe interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings andguidance.

The breadth and scope of the present invention(s) should not be limitedby any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should bedefined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A beverage dispenser, comprising: a dispensingnozzle configured to dispense one or more beverages; an actuatorconfigured to initiate dispensing of a beverage from the dispensingnozzle, the actuator comprising a biometric sensor configured toidentify a biometric characteristic of a customer; and a controllerthat, upon actuation of the actuator, is configured to: authenticate acustomer based on the biometric characteristic, associate theauthenticated customer with a customer account, the customer accountcomprising a purchased beverage dispensing plan for the authenticatedcustomer, wherein the purchased beverage dispensing plan comprises: anauthorized amount of purchased beverage the authenticated customer isentitled to dispense from the beverage dispenser, and a beveragedispensing rule that dictates the authorized amount of purchasedbeverage the authenticated customer can dispense from the beveragedispenser, and allow beverage dispensing from the dispensing nozzleafter authenticating the customer and associating the authenticatedcustomer with the customer account.
 2. The beverage dispenser of claim1, wherein the beverage dispenser comprises an electronic display screenand the biometric sensor comprises a camera for optically identifyingthe biometric characteristic of the customer.
 3. The beverage dispenserof claim 2, wherein the electronic display screen is configured todisplay an image captured by the camera.
 4. The beverage dispenser ofclaim 1, wherein, upon sensing that the actuator has been disengaged,the controller is configured to record an amount of beverage dispensedfrom the dispensing nozzle and update the beverage dispensing rule basedon the beverage dispensed.
 5. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, whereinthe actuator comprises a button.
 6. The beverage dispenser of claim 1,wherein the actuator comprises a touch screen.
 7. The beverage dispenserof claim 1, wherein the biometric sensor comprises a fingerprint reader.8. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the controller isconfigured to compare the identified biometric characteristic against adatabase of authorized biometric characteristics.
 9. The beveragedispenser of claim 1, wherein the customer account comprises apromotional beverage allowance.
 10. The beverage dispenser of claim 1,wherein the customer account comprises customer preferences.
 11. Thebeverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the authorized amount ofpurchased beverage is at least one of: a volume of beverage, a number ofbeverage re-fills, or a cost of beverage, and wherein the beveragedispensing rule comprises at least one of: a beverage volume allowancerule, a beverage re-fill allowance rule, a time-based rule, a geographiclocation-based rule, or a prepaid credit rule.
 12. The beveragedispenser of claim 1, wherein the customer account comprises a beveragedispensing restriction.
 13. The beverage dispenser of claim 12, whereinthe beverage dispensing restriction comprises at least one of: a maximumvolume allowance restriction, a re-fill allowance restriction, or abeverage type restriction.
 14. The beverage dispenser of claim 1,wherein the controller is configured to track beverage dispensed by theauthenticated customer and update the beverage dispensing rule based onbeverage dispensed by the authenticated customer.
 15. The beveragedispenser of claim 1, wherein the biometric characteristic comprises atleast one of: a fingerprint, a finger vein pattern, a retinal profile,an iris profile, a face profile, or a voice profile.
 16. The beveragedispenser of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to allowbeverage dispensing from the dispensing nozzle for a predeterminedamount of time.
 17. The beverage dispenser of claim 16, wherein, oncethe predetermined amount of time expires, the controller is configuredto prevent beverage dispensing until a future customer is authenticated.18. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the beverage dispensingrule comprises a beverage volume allowance rule, and wherein thecontroller is configured to subtract a volume of beverage dispensed bythe authenticated customer from the authorized amount of purchasedbeverage after allowing beverage dispensing from the dispensing nozzle.19. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, further comprising an ultrasoundemitter configured to emit sound waves readable by an ultrasounddecoder.
 20. A beverage dispenser, comprising: a dispensing nozzleconfigured to dispense one or more beverages; an actuator configured toinitiate dispensing of a beverage from the dispensing nozzle, theactuator comprising a biometric sensor configured to identify abiometric characteristic of a customer; and a controller that, uponactuation of the actuator, is configured to: authenticate a customerbased on only the biometric characteristic, based on the biometriccharacteristic, associate the authenticated customer with a customeraccount, the customer account comprising: a purchased beveragedispensing plan comprising an authorized amount of purchased beveragethe authenticated customer is entitled to dispense from the beveragedispenser and a beverage dispensing rule for the authenticated customer,and allow beverage dispensing from the dispensing nozzle afterauthenticating the customer and associating the authenticated customerwith the customer account.
 21. A beverage dispenser, comprising: adispensing nozzle configured to dispense one or more beverages; anactuator configured to initiate dispensing of a beverage from thedispensing nozzle, the actuator comprising a biometric sensor configuredto identify a biometric characteristic of a customer; and a controllerthat, upon actuation of the actuator, is configured to: authenticate acustomer based on the biometric characteristic, associate theauthenticated customer with a customer account, the customer accountcomprising a beverage dispensing rule for the authenticated customer,and allow beverage dispensing from the dispensing nozzle afterauthenticating the customer and associating the authenticated customerwith the customer account.
 22. The beverage dispenser of claim 21,wherein, upon sensing that the actuator has been disengaged, thecontroller is configured to record an amount of beverage dispensed fromthe dispensing nozzle and update the beverage dispensing rule based onthe beverage dispensed.
 23. The beverage dispenser of claim 21, whereinthe actuator comprises at least one of: a button, a lever, a handle, oran icon on a touch screen.
 24. The beverage dispenser of claim 21,wherein the biometric sensor comprises at least one of: a finger printreader, a finger vein scanner, a retinal scanner, an iris scanner, acamera, or a microphone.